Featured Projects

349 ASHLAND AVENUE, RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS

In June 2015 Brand & Company acquired 349 Ashland Avenue, a 3,500 square foot former children's cooking school. In 2011 the previous owner completed a total renovation of the property including a second story addition. After the purchase, Brand & Company started River Forest Kitchen (RFK), a licensed and fully equipped shared-use commercial kitchen business. RFK was an immediate success with over 20 active tenants using the space. The firm developed strong relationships with each individual tenant and in January 2017 RFK master-leased the business operations to Sugar Beet Schoolhouse, which hosts cooking camps and classes for all ages. In addition to their core business, Sugar Beet Schoolhouse continues to run River Forest Kitchen and provides shared-use commercial kitchen space to local artisan chefs.

RIVER FOREST KITCHEN349 Ashland Avenue, River Forest, Illinois

40 S. ASHLAND, LA GRANGE, ILLINOIS

40 S. ASHLAND, LA GRANGE, ILLINOIS

In March 2013 Brand & Company contracted to purchase this 25,000 SF vacant land parcel contingent on Village approvals of a 24-unit condominium Planned Unit Development (PUD). The team hosted community meetings, gathered support, held public hearings and worked with the Village to create a development proposal that received full approval. During the approval process, the firm brokered 50% unit pre-sales. After approvals were issued, a sale of the entitled land to a third-party developer was negotiated.

400 ASHLAND AVENUE, RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS

The Partners acquired a 5,000 square foot commercial building located at 400 Ashland Avenue in River Forest. Concurrent with the acquisition, we submitted a Planned Unit Development (PUD) application for approval to construct a one-bedroom apartment in the building, and convert the zoning from Commercial to Mixed Use. The rezoning has reduced annual real estate taxes from $40,000 in 2012 to approximately $11,000 per year due to the change of class. The property was sold in December 2017.

400 ASHLAND AVENUE, RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS

214-226 HARRISON STREET, OAK PARK, ILLINOIS

214-226 HARRISON STREET, OAK PARK, ILLINOISIn July 2015 Brand & Company purchased a 6,000 square foot vacant building from Albany Bank. The property is located in the heart of the Oak Park Arts District, a thriving neighborhood that has seen significant appreciation over the past few years. Proximity to the CTA Blue Line (1 Block) and I-290 Expressway makes the location ideal for commuters from Downtown Chicago and the Western Suburbs.

Following acquisition, Brand & Company successfully re-zoned the commercial property to mixed-use which reduced property taxes from $60,000 per year to less than $15,000.

A complete renovation of the property was completed in the Fall 2016. The fully occupied building includes 5 commercial spaces and 1 apartment. Tenants include: The Happy Apple Pie Shop, Tapster Robotics, District Kitchen & Tap and Tom Bassett-Dilley Architecture.

227-231 BURLINGTON AVE., CLARENDON HILLS, ILLINOIS

The partners of Brand & Company purchased this vacant land site and developed a site plan for a mixed-use building. Perfectly situated between a vibrant downtown, filled with upscale retail, local restaurants and businesses, and a gorgeous residential neighborhood, the site is a highly desirable location. The site remains vacant as the firm explores the development potential.

227-231 BURLINGTON AVE., CLARENDON HILLS, ILLINOIS

409-411 SOUTH BLVD., OAK PARK, ILLINOIS

411 SOUTH BLVD., OAK PARK, ILLINOIS

In April 2016 the partners purchased the 15,000 SF former Dorolyn Academy of Music building. Following acquisition, Brand & Company successfully re-zoned the commercial property to mixed-use. A complete gut-renovation was completed in the Summer of 2016 including a high-end custom buildout for ABC Toon Town Day Care Center. The property is leased long-term.

1135 CHICAGO AVE., OAK PARK, ILLINOIS

This building was tenanted by a prominent grocery store for over 50 years and was acquired and renovated in 2012 for a strong local tenant on a net lease.